Sermon Notes

Galatians 5:16-25 - “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

The Christian Life is a battle between two natures. My old sinful nature, and my new nature in Christ. The Holy Spirit producing Fruit of the Spirit inside of us, helping us win the battle.

PRINCIPLE #1: You Reap what you Sow

Galatians 6:7-8 - “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

PRINCIPLE #2: Time Passes between Sowing and Reaping

Numbers 32:23 - “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

PRINCIPLE #3: What You Reap is a Result of What is Inside You

Luke 6:43-45 - “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

PRINCIPLE #4: Bearing Fruit is a Process

1. Love God’s Word
Psalm 1:3 - “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

2. Be Teachable
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

3. Live a Changed Life
Matthew 3:7-8 - “When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the place of his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’ Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance.”

Make It Stick:
Galatians 5:22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Today’s Big Idea:
The Holy Spirit is actively producing Fruit of the Spirit inside of us, helping us win the battle.

1. Love God’s Word – Memorize Galatians 5:22

2. Be Teachable – What is one thing God is trying to teach me right now from today’s lesson?

3. Live a Changed Life – What areas of my life is God wanting to change? How will I be faithful to live God’s change in my life?